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27 Oo Paul Dollfus and Frances Milam Next to Hobcaw and her beloved horses, Belle’s greatest pleasure was doing for others, giving not only money but her time and attention. Her philanthropies were extensive and included organized charities such as the Seeing Eye of Morristown, New Jersey; the Eye Bank for Sight Restoration of New York; the Visiting Nurse program of New York; and the Catholic Guild for the Blind of Newton, Massachusetts. All but one were legatees in her will. Belle did not just donate money. She personally visited and investigated the work of the organizations to which she contributed and often became friendly with their staffs. Father Thomas J. Carroll, director of the Catholic Guild for the Blind, became a close friend and visited Bellefield often. Father Carroll had written what was then the definitive book on blindness, including the psychological and emotional trauma involved. Belle had enormous respect and affection for him, and the two had many long discussions on theology and philosophy . Another good friend was Dr. Howard Rusk, director and founder of the Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of New York University Bellevue Medical Center. Bernard Baruch was a cofounder, and the Baruchs were active supporters of the institute, donating funds for buildings and equipment. For Edith Bolling Wilson’s eighty-sixth birthday, Belle donated a rehabilitation room at the institute in Mrs. Wilson’s name. The new room was equipped with self-help devices designed to give the disabled more independence and mobility in their daily living. Former Dodger catcher Roy Campanella, who Paul Dollfus and Frances Milam 171 was paralyzed in an automobile accident, joined the Baruchs, Jean and Robert Darthez, and Mrs. Wilson for the dedication. Belle was especially fond of Dr. Rusk, who visited Bellefield several times. Rusk liked French wines, and Belle sent him a case every year for Christmas, a practice Ella Severin continued after Belle’s death. Rusk would call Belle from time to time, confident of receiving help as he needed it. She always saw Rusk when in New York each year, and he would often introduce her to some of his more interesting patients. Once Rusk called Belle and said he wanted to introduce her to a young Frenchman named Paul Dollfus. Rendered a paraplegic by polio in 1953, Paul had been sent by his father to Dr. Rusk to see if anything further could be done for him. Rusk was impressed with the young man’s courage and attitude. Dollfus had been an accomplished athlete and flyer and was a fourth-year medical student. Although confined to a wheelchair, he was determined to complete his studies. Dr. Rusk offered him an internship at Bellevue, and Dollfus accepted. “I was very grateful,” Dollfus said, “because it allowed me to know a little bit more about what was, in fact, going to be my medical future. One evening, he [Dr. Rusk] told me that he would like to introduce me to a very nice person who likes France and speaks French.” Dollfus still remembers what a wonderful first evening he spent with Belle and Elsa (many of Ella Severin’s European friends called her “Elsa,” as did Belle on occasion). “We became very good friends,” Dollfus recalled, “and I can still remember a telephone call asking me if I wanted to come to Bellefield in South Carolina for Christmas. “Naturally, I accepted with great enthusiasm, and I still remember the day when we flew from an airport outside of New York to Bellefield. It was a twinpropelled aircraft, if I remember, a Beechcraft, which was piloted by one of the most famous pilots who had been a pioneer during the first days of the airmail in the United States [Kenneth Unger]. . . . I can remember how struck I was by the smallness of the airfield amongst the forest of Bellefield, but we managed to land quite safely thanks to this excellent pilot.” At that time Belle had one black servant and a French couple who were in charge of housekeeping. Dollfus remembers the pond near the house and, being a fisherman, asked Belle if he could try his hand. Belle teased him, saying , “If you can, but instead of a fish, you might get an alligator, and then you will be in real trouble. You won’t even have time to ask for help.” “Yes,” Dollfus replied, “perhaps, but the alligator will have to eat other than...

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